"Yes," agreed Grace. "Wear it under your blouse. I will do the same."
They decided to hide the rifles and ammunition in the bushes and trust to luck that no one stumbled on them. When they had finished with their preparations, nothing was left in the camp but the tents and a few blankets, mess kits and provisions being in the cache in the rocks.
One mule was to be ridden by Washington, the other to be left to its fate, hidden in a dense growth of laurel.
"I suppose he will awaken the whole country with his brays," growled Hippy.
"There are mules and mules," observed Emma Dean.
Hippy gave her a quick, keen glance, but her face was guileless.
At eight o'clock the Overland Riders set out on their ponies, Washington Washington in the lead on his pack mule, industriously mouthing his harmonica, the girls laughing and chatting, Hippy silent, lost in contemplation of his own problems.
"Which way to the Coon Hollow schoolhouse?" called Grace as they passed a slowly walking couple a short distance beyond the Thompson home.
"Yer headin' fer it," answered the man.
"If Laundry gives the mule a free rein, we probably shall reach our destination sooner than if the boy tries to guide the animal," suggested Elfreda Briggs.